Sunday, August 3, 2014

Baby Buys

I'm back!! At the request of many mamma's who loved my post on best baby buys for your little bitty, I've put together a list of my favorites from around 8/9 months to well....I still use a lot of these every day. Please know I am not getting paid to endorse any of these products.

Bjorn Bib: You only need one of these amazing bibs! They catch EVERYTHING, and you simply wash it off, and are ready to go again any time. I had some other super cute bibs with pockets, but they weren't that great, and the drying/washing in the washing machine time made other bibs not worth it to me (insert-ain't nobody got time for that).
Shoes: The shoes I am going to mention below are not cheap shoes, I still found them worth it. I have a foot injury, so I do notice the difference a good pair of shoes can make. My shoe philosophy at this point is one dress pair, one boat/water/everyday pair, and because we live in Savannah, a set of Sperry Top-Siders.
Sperry Top-Siders are great for a good portion of the year in Savannah. Once Lane outgrows Sperrys, I know we can use them with either a girl or boy for the next kiddo (dual sex things rule). They are super cute, and very neutral shoes, so they are a must for Lane's wardrobe.
Multi-Colored Keens are my summer boat/water/everyday pair of shoes. I bought them big at the beginning of the warmer weather, and they look like they are going to make it this full season. I like the multi-colored because it goes with almost everything. The shoes are great to throw in the washing machine if needed or just hose off and let dry outside. I have been very happy with my purchase.

 
Sun-San Sandals are my dressy pair of shoes for summer. They have been wonderful, and go with everything it seems. I bought the exact pair shown below and love them. I bought them looking a little large at the beginning of summer, but they fit perfectly now and should make it the whole season.
Please note these are only my summer selections! I'll have to write back once I pick my fall loves this year. Last year my Stride-Rites were amazing!

A lot of mommas asked me about advice on how to get rid of the bottle. For a while I was worried that she would not give up without a fight, but after I found this nifty little contraption, life was much better. By 14 months all bottles were washed and packed away for the next bambino.
This Nuby Trainer Cup has a nipple option, so we put the nipple option on, and she started drinking out of this in place of her long time, truly loved bottles. Once she was only using this bottle, and not her original bottles, I then made the switch to sippy cups. I think trying to change their whole world is tough, so let them keep the nipple and change the bottle, then remove the nipple. We never used the sippy cup spout on this bottle, but instead introduced a different regular sippy cup, then made this cup disappear for good after we eliminated her night time bottle before bed.
When it came to the next car seat after the infant carrier, I polled a bunch of my Savannah mom friends. I lead a local mother's of preschoolers group, so I've gotten a lot of great info from these moms. It takes a village people!
A lot of these mom friends of mine have tried a lot of different car seats, and it seems the momma's with multiple kiddos have all turned to a favorite, and even some moms like me that researched and polled others of course have this seat in their car :) Apparently some moms hate this seat, so you do you, but I have loved it so far. Great safety ratings, it's the only one I'll need till my kid can sit like an adult in the car (the weight limit goes to 120lbs. I know some women who barely weigh that now). I have not experienced the seat forward facing yet, but my kid is not yet 2. I'm that mom whose kid is over 97% in height, with legs are all over the place, but still going to stick it out till she's two(according to research-rear facing really is worth it as long as you can hold out). So...my car seat of choice after the infant Chicco Keyfit 30 is the Diono Radian RXT. I've read if you have a small car, this is not the seat for you. Lucky for me, I drive a 4-Runner and can fit three...you read that right, 3 of these babies in my back seat. It has very slim lines and a low profile. I love not slamming my kids head on the ceiling while putting her in (my mom friends told me that was a big issue they had with other seats apparently). There are many other reasons I chose to purchase this seat, but just check out the website for all of the info you might want.  I have a nice grayish black color in my car.


Aden Blankets are still one of my favorite things. I know I listed them in my itty bitty baby buy section, but Lane still sleeps with at least one of these blankets every night. They are awesome! I generally have two in her bed at a time and then rotate a new two in while I wash the other two. I own about 8 in total. 

My last item for this blog is going to be food pouches. I loved these when I still had to spoon feed Lane, just so much easier to squeeze onto the spoon, then screw on the lid and put in the fridge what she didn't eat. I still love these pouches now, just unscrew the lid and let her eat them by herself. They travel well, it's the best way to get veggies in easily, and Lane loves them. My favorites are these mighty 4 pouches from Plum. We aren't as picky these days with the brands, which is nice...I just buy what's on sale and almost always shoot for the fruit plus veggie ones.
 

I'm going to try and post a Lane update blog soon, as well as a blog on how to beach it with your baby (basically the right way to travel to the beach with your toddler). I consider myself a pro now since my little one and I do the beach together without the husband often.
Have a wonderful night peeps!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Lately

Lately we've been going full steam ahead...we've put our first house up on the market (with no place to move yet), Luke has formally accepted a new job, and Lane gets bigger and brighter every day. 
First, I must say thank you to everyone who prayed for us about Luke's job future. Luke has been working with some friends of ours over the past 5 months flipping homes. He loved the work, but decided to move back into his wheel house, he accepted a position as project manager for DPR construction. It's in his wheel house meaning he will be managing big projects for a big company. It's a bit different in that he specializes in healthcare construction, and his first project for this company is working to revitalize one of Savannah's most famous downtown streets. Ben Carter; a huge mogul of a man has been purchasing up every piece of property he can on Broughton Street, with major plans to bring in big retailers. Basically, his mission is to make it similar to Charleston's King Street. I know J Crew has signed up with him, so I'm already happy. Major curb appeal as well as green spaces too. It's a high profile job, but I'm excited for Luke. 
Lane amazes me every day. Her vocabulary is huge, and I sometimes struggle speaking to her like an adult (it's almost like I can't believe she really understands and comprehends all that she does). The weather has been crazy lately, but we've managed to squeeze in a couple of beach and boat days. I'm beyond ready for warmer weather, I really don't understand how people up North entertain their children all day inside. Lane loves to explore the outdoors! 
I won't get into all of the little details since I am enjoying the break from monthly updates and photos. I have finished Lane's baby book, and plan to wait for a super sweet Shutterfly deal to print. So up next I am working on her first year videos on one DVD. 
Here is the picture purge from our life lately:
Dock Sitting
Mom you are so strange face--I get this all day!
I am a DIVA

Boat rides are better this year! The lifejacket fit is SO MUCH BETTER 
You are a silly goose
Gran and Papa have a little captain in em. Ha! Fun playing in Augusta.
Gran and Papa's Yard 

Papa did countless laps around the house with your majesty

Having Aunt Katie in Savannah is great. Now she can take us on mid week boat rides.
Wasn't so sure you'd love the beach again this year. Luckily, you did!
Playing with Skyler




Birthday Party Fun 






Fun friends at the beach

Monday, January 27, 2014

Lane's First Birthday!

NOOOOO! I can't believe my baby is ONE! I'm really not sad, it just came so quickly. Luke and I are blessed beyond measure with Lane Olivia Dorman. She is sassy, sweet, and never misses a beat.
Lane's birthday theme was polka dots! I bought a bunch of polka dot balloons that we scattered all over the floor and across the ceiling. We made a polka dot high chair banner, polka dot birthday cake, bought a cute number one polka dot shirt from Etsy, and strung up her monthly pictures for everyone to see how much she changed this first year.  Unfortunately, I did not get a lot of pictures from the birthday party. I have a ton of video footage, but I wish I had captured a couple more pictures. All of Lane's family came into town for her first birthday party (except Aunt Abigail, who was in Greece--hence my lack of pictures). Along with family, we invited three of Lane's little friends over to play too. The party started at noon where we hung out and watched the kids play. Burgers, baked beans, and chips were served for lunch at 12:30, and we followed up with a homemade cake.
I really tried not to go overboard since Lane had no real idea of what was going on. It was a wonderful day with friends and family. Overall I truly think Lane had a blast seeing and playing with everyone. The party was an all day affair, baby friends Jackson, Celia, and Harris actually lasted till about 3:30, people love to baby watch so we did just that until everyone needed to head home for afternoon naps.
The Birthday Girl being pulled around in her wagon by cousins M.A. and Lily
Her monthly photos 
Lane's Polka Dot Cake w/Buttercream Frosting 
Balloons all over the place- the kids LOVED the balloons! 
I wish you could see the polka dot cloth a little better, but her birthday chair all ready 
I just left her in her pink tutu and hat since I guessed she'd be a mess 
Testing it out!
She had a death grip on this cupcake, and seriously ate almost an entire half of a jumbo cupcake
Mean Mugging Luke's Dad! She gives this face to a lot of people actually. :(
Her cake was a success! I will say I had a major proud mamma moment when I cut into this. Aunt Katie made this happen, so got to give credit where credit is due! 
I'm so mad at myself for not getting a photo of all the little kids together or the entire crowd. I may try and get photos from the video footage though. Anyone tried that?? We'll see!
Here is Lane's last monthly photo to round out the year, and her 12 month doctor appointment stats:
Your weight hovers around the same!
Still Tall
Same 'ol Same 'ol for head too!
I guess this is a good record of your sick times too!
This is SO PITIFUL...I just had to laugh when I saw this. Sorry Lane!  
Lane was OVER her monthly photos for sure! 
HAPPY HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BABY LANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One last side note** I'm getting a NEPHEW this June!